A driver has sparked debate online after being caught on dashcam driving along a lane others think is out of bounds.
The driver was seen on the A63 in Hull driving along a lane that was free of traffic - because it is marked with diagonal white lines.
According to HullLive, this prompted some to brand the driver 'another who thinks they are above the law'.
The 'lane' in question sits to the left of a busy dual carriageway and by driving along it the motorist was able to avoid queues.
So was the driver in the wrong?
According to the Highway Code, maybe not.
The secret isn't in the lane itself, but in the line that separates the two lanes.
In short, if the area filled with diagonal lines, or chevrons, is bordered by a solid white line you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency, while if it is bordered by a broken white line - like the lane in this case - you SHOULD NOT enter it, unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so
This is Rule 130 from the Highway Code : "Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
- If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
- If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
"Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5 , 9 , 10 & 16 , MT(S)R regs 4 , 8 , 9 & 14 , RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD reg 10(1) ."
So if it was necessary and the driver thought it was safe - it wasn't a breach of the rules.
